Dumbledore's bright blue eyes swept rapidly across the room.
His wand danced in his hand as he chanted a songlike spell.
At last, he let out a slow sigh.
Then he hurried to Harry's side and, after examining him carefully, breathed a sigh of relief.
He was still breathing. He wasn't dead.
Then a flash of red feathers appeared in his hand.
A burst of fire flared up, and Fawkes returned with Hermione.
He immediately waved his wand.
"Release Restraints!"
Hermione's bindings were undone.
"Clean-Up Charm!"
The mud covering Hermione's body vanished.
A sharp glint flashed through Dumbledore's eyes.
He had finally realized what was wrong.
There was no garlic smell.
No, the smell was still there, but it was far too faint.
And that calm, composed tone with its faint trace of teasing was definitely not Quirrell's style.
"Thank you, Headmaster," Hermione said gratefully. "How is Harry?"
"He is only unconscious. Madam Pomfrey will need to examine him before we know more," Dumbledore answered.
Hermione let out a breath of relief, then anxiously added,
"Oh, right! Ron is still at the chessboard. He was knocked down by a knight!"
"I'll take you out. Mr. Weasley should be fine."
With a light wave of Dumbledore's wand, Harry floated into the air and followed behind him.
Hermione walked alongside them, looking a little nervous. "H-Headmaster, may I ask a question?"
"I did not catch Quirinus, and the Philosopher's Stone disappeared with him," Dumbledore said before she could ask.
"Ah!" Hermione cried out in surprise, her face full of worry.
"What do we do? Won't the mysterious man be revived?"
"Do not worry, Miss Granger. My mind still works quite well."
Dumbledore gave a mischievous wink. "Only someone who hoped to find the Philosopher's Stone but did not wish to use it